The book is rounded off by this final statement of victory over Edom, not merely as a nationalistic revival by Israel, but also as a symbol of the ultimate triumph of Israel’s God.

The victorious men of Jerusalem: the word translated “Saviors” (Revised Standard Version) was understood by ancient translators as a passive form, equivalent to “those saved.” This understanding has been accepted by some modern translators, and is expressed for instance by New English Bible as “Those who find safety on Mount Zion.” If the verse is taken this way, it is probably a reference back to “those that escape” (Revised Standard Version, New English Bible) on Mount Zion in verse 17.

However, many modern translations do not feel it necessary to follow this understanding, since the Hebrew makes acceptable sense as it stands. The “saviors” (Revised Standard Version) are understood to be military leaders in the same manner as the judges had been in the days before the establishment of the monarchy. Their distinguishing mark was that they led the Lord’s people to victory over their enemies. Thus Jerusalem Bible translates “Victorious, they will climb Mount Zion.” Here as elsewhere, Mount Zion stands for Jerusalem and for its Temple site in particular, and Good News Translation renders this plainly as The victorious men of Jerusalem. When understood in this way, the people referred to in this verse are the same people mentioned in the last part of verse 20, who have just captured the towns in southern Judah. It is because of these victories that they are called victorious. In some languages it may be easier to begin this sentence, “After the men of Jerusalem have won all these victories….”

In the Hebrew the reference to Jerusalem as “Mount Zion” is paralleled by the reference to Edom as “Mount Esau” (Revised Standard Version), an echo of verses 8 and 19. Good News Translation translates plainly as Edom. The word translated “to rule” in Revised Standard Version is the same Hebrew verb that is frequently used to describe the activities of the Judges in the Book of Judges (Judges 10.2, 3; 12.7-14; 15.20; 16.31). Jerusalem Bible emphasizes this link by saying here “to judge the Mount of Esau.” Good News Translation gives more emphasis to the meaning in the particular context of Obadiah and translates will attack Edom and rule over it.

Neither Revised Standard Version nor Jerusalem Bible seem to suggest that these victorious people will go to Edom itself. Rather they “go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau” (Revised Standard Version). However, since Mount Esau is not on Mount Zion, commentators assume that this means that Mount Zion becomes the base for an attack on Edom. Another possible understanding of these words is “Victorious leaders will make their headquarters in Jerusalem and will rule over the land of Edom.” Verse 18 has of course already described the final attack on Edom, so verse 21 must be understood as a summary or as a restatement of the main point.

The final clause is expressed impersonally in Hebrew, and this structure is retained in many modern translations, as for instance Revised Standard Version, with its “the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” Good News Translation and some other modern versions such as Moffatt keep the emphasis of the Hebrew more accurately by using a personal construction and saying the LORD himself will be king. If a translator feels that he should make clear what the Lord is king of, he may add “king of his people,” or even “the real (or, true) king of his people.” This statement gives the theological justification for the prophet’s whole message. The sovereignty of the Lord is the basis for both the restoration of his people and the punishment of their enemies. When the boundaries of the Promised Land are restored to be as they were when David was king (verses 19-20), then the Lord himself will again be the true king of his people, as he was in David’s day.

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. et al. A Handbook on the Book of Obadiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1978, 1982, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .